Tag: Internet

Recently we found our Chrome web browser looks like slower than usual when we tried to open a web page, it was stuck in the first 20 or 30 seconds, or even few minutes when visiting websites but after that the speed could be back to normal. We see there is a message “Downloading proxy script…” (sometimes the message is “Resolving proxy…”) in the bottom left corner of the web browser.

How do you test your home internet speed or office internet speed ? Do you find your internet testing speed is not match the internet package which you purchased ?

When we buy internet service from ISP (Internet Service Provider), there are at least 2 factors you must concern: Monthly Usage (it is traffic amount in a month, but now most of ISP call it as Usage, so we use the word Usage here) and Speed. Here we only give related topic about Internet Speed.

Bell Shifts UBB Pricing StrategyProposes ‘Aggregated Volume Pricing’ for ISPsby Karl Bode 17 hours ago tags: business · bandwidth · consumers · Bell Sympatico · Rogers Hi-Speed · TekSavvy DSLTipped by Gone See ProfileFacing angry consumers and stubborn political resistance, Bell has somewhat backed off their usage-based billing (UBB) plan, according to the Globe and Mail. Originally, in addition to the straight cost of connectivity, Bell proposed charging each wholesale ISP an additional fee depending on the amount of data consumed by individual users. Instead, Bell is now proposing an “aggregated volume pricing” scheme, where Bell would charge independent ISPs based on the total volume of data consumed by an ISP’s users. Our Canadian broadband forum has a little more detail (Bell’s government filings are here), though our resident Canadian users note this is still viewed as double dipping by smaller ISPs, is still a price hike, and doesn’t seem like much of a concession in the face of unprecedented backlash.

And also, all consumer who sent email to government to ask “Stop UBB plan” received reply email from government today, the following is the email content:

Dear Sir or Madam:

Thank you for expressing your concerns regarding usage-based billing (UBB)for Internet services. It is essential that I hear the views of Canadianson the issues that matter. Prime Minister Harper and I have been clearthat we cannot support imposing a UBB business model on wholesale Internetservice providers.

Our government recognizes that the Internet and digital technologies arean increasingly important part of everyday life—including drivinginnovation, commerce and social interaction. As the government developsCanada’s first comprehensive Digital Economy Strategy, we need to lookcarefully at how issues like UBB affect the big picture. We will beguided by our long-standing policies of encouraging competition andinvestment, increasing consumer choice, minimizing regulation and allowingmarket forces to prevail.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) haschosen to examine these concerns that the government shares with a largenumber of Canadians. Details of the CRTC consultation are available atwww.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2011/r110208.htm.

When the CRTC reaches a final decision following its consultations, thegovernment will carefully assess the CRTC position to ensure that it is inline with the best interests of Canadian consumers and encouragescompetition among internet service providers. I will be recommending thatany decision counter to these foundational principles be reversed.You can find the latest news on the government’s Digital Economy Strategyand related issues at www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/eng/h_00008.html.

Once again, thank you for writing. I trust that this information is helpful.

Acanac is one of Canada’s independent ISP’s. They said they are currently servicing over 70,000 clients and are still growing. Acanac has grown to this size in just a little over 4 years. They have established a leadership position in the industry by providing clients with affordable and reliable service to both Residential and Business users.

Actually, I think Acanac is still a small company compared with Rogers and Dells, but I like this kind of small ISP company, because they can compete with Rogers and Dells, I hope there are more compete companies.

I used Acanac’s DSL internet in 2009, it was ok, I never complained. In this year, I found Acanac provides Cable internet which the price is almost the same for me using DSL internet, I switched the internet service from their DSL to Cable. However, I found I am not that lucky since I use new service.

The following is my post to report to Acanac:

I switched from DSL internet to Cable internet around Feb 1, 2011, I did not complain when I used DSL, but I have had to report at least 2 times since I used your Cable, the similar issue keeping come : I could not visit any websites and later I might can ONLY visit several websites such as google (only show search results but can not click to access target websites), I reported one time in Feb 9, about 2 hours later, the cable internet got work then, but yesterday (Saturday), the problem came again, I could not use the internet since the morning around 11:00am until mid-night (maybe 1:40am). you know my home phone is IP phone, my works is software development which needs internet too, when the problem came, I could do nothing, I could not use phone to contact my customers and my friends, my cell phone is “pay as you go” services, I could not use my cell phone long time to talk, I could not call you using my cell phone since your customer support waiting list is very long. Fortunately I found I could use Gmail so I reported to you using my gmail finally. but I still have not gotten your any explanation about the problem even the internet get to work now. I am thinking I might need to change my internet service if your Cable internet is really not stable.

So can you give me the reason why your Cable internet always get problem ? only in my area ? XXXXXX (this is my area post code)

(BTW: I got message from a friend who is in the same area and using your cable internet too, he told me he called you yesterday night, and your supporter said it really had problem in East Scarborough area)

Thanks a lot !

I hope I can continue to use Acanac service. so I am waiting for them response now.

For me, I can not believe Canadian Telecommunication Commission can make this kind of decision, A advanced country can make a “backward” rule. At least, all of the people which I know do not like it, some people say it is very stuxxd .

OK, let us get to know what the UBB is first:

Background:

Usage-based billing (UBB): words that can elicit strong emotions, especially from heavy users of the internet who signed up for unlimited plans with some of the smaller players on the market. These smaller players built their business model around offering unlimited internet access plans at lower prices than the big carriers like Bell, Rogers and Telus. Companies like Teksavvy and MTS Allstream rent internet access from Bell and then resell it to consumers or businesses at a discount.

On May 6, 2010, the CRTC approved an application from Bell Canada to bill internet customers, both retail and wholesale, based on how much they download each month.

On Jan. 25, 2011, the CRTC ruled that Bell had to offer its wholesale customers a 15 per cent discount off the usage-based billing rates it charged its retail customers. (from CBC news: Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2011/01/31/f-faq-usage-based-billing.html#ixzz1CgVaT17l)

Usage-based billing for Gateway Access Services and third-party Internet access servicesIn this decision, the Commission determines that usage-based billing rates for an incumbent telephone carrier’s wholesale residential Gateway Access Services or equivalent services, and for an incumbent cable carrier’s third-party Internet access services, are to be established at a discount of 15 percent from the carrier’s comparable usage-based billing rates for its retail Internet services.

Implementation

15. CNOC requested a minimum period of 90 days for implementation. The Bell companies submitted that implementation of the determinations in this decision must not delay the implementation of wholesale UBB rates as set out in Telecom Decision 2010-802. The Bell companies also submitted that they would require 60 days from the date of this decision to implement any required changes to their billing systems.16. The Commission notes that wholesale UBB rates were approved for the Bell companies in Telecom Decision 2010-255, which was issued on 6 May 2010. The Commission considers that wholesale UBB rates for GAS should be implemented by the Bell companies without undue delay. The Commission considers that the Bell companies’ proposed period for the implementation of discounted wholesale UBB rates is unduly long.17. Accordingly, the Commission directs the Bell companies, as well as cable carriers with tariffed UBB rates for TPIA services, to implement discounted wholesale UBB rates on the basis set out in this decision, by 1 March 2011. The Commission further directs carriers whose wholesale tariffs contain UBB rates to issue revised tariffs reflecting the determinations in this decision, by 1 March 2011.

People fight:

Many internet users want to fight with this rule, Here some links which you might want to see: